Gov belies report Cedric Lee has a contract with Cebu Province

CEBU, Philippines - Governor Hilario Davide III has belied a report that the company of controversial businessman  Cedric Lee, the alleged mastermind behind the mauling of actor Vhong Navarro, has a contract with the Province of Cebu for a waste-to-energy (WTE) facility.

Davide however confirmed he met Lee at the Capitol last year  where Lee informed him of the project of his company, Waste Management Incorporated (WMI).

“But I checked the records, there was a failure of bidding,” Davide told reporters adding that there is no contract between Lee’s company and the Capitol.

During their meeting, Davide said Lee showed him a memorandum of agreement.

In December 2012, the Provincial Board passed a resolution sponsored by PB Member Alex Binghay authorizing then governor, now third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia, to execute and sign for and on behalf of the Province of Cebu an agreement with WMI.

However, the signing of the agreement did not push through when Malacañang slapped Garcia with a six-month suspension on December 19, 2012.

Gwendolyn also has pending criminal case before the Sandiganbayan related to the alleged anomalous purchase of the Balili Property where the facility was supposed to be built.

With litigations concerning the controversial Balili property still ongoing, WMI asked the Economic Enterprise Council if it is possible for them to have the project in an area in the northern part of Cebu.

Vice Gov. Agnes Magpale, who was acting governor and chaired the ECC that time, earlier said the change in location also means a major change in the contract signed by WMI and the provincial government.

The investment involves US $150 million that could generate income for the Province amounting to P850 million in 25 years.

Garcia earlier explained that part of the Balili Property was to be rented by the private company at P30 per square meter, or P2.1 million a month, where a WTE plant will be constructed.—(FREEMAN)